“Me and my brother.” Vane indicated Fang.

The bear nodded as he folded his arms over his chest and took on a tough stance. “We’re Peltiers. I’m Dev-one of a set of identical quadruplets so no, you’re not seeing double or triple inside-and stay clear of the one who looks like me dressed completely in black-Remi’s an irritable SOB. My mother, Nicolette, is the Katagaria Grand Regis Ursulan-so don’t start no shit, won’t be no shit. Quick rule rundown. No fighting, no biting, no magick. You break the rules, we break body parts and you’re banned from here… if you survive.” He passed a meaningful stare to the pups. “In short, come in peace or leave in pieces. You got it?”

Fang raised his hand to flip him off, but Vane caught his wrist before he could.

“We understand.”

Hissing from the burn Vane was putting on him, Fang twisted out of his brother’s grasp.

Vane glared at him. Keep your mouth shut and your gestures to yourself, he mentally projected to him.

I don’t take orders from bears.

No, but you take them from me. Behave, Fang, or I’ll kick your ass back to the Stone Age. Vane grabbed the sleeve of his jacket and dragged him into the bar.

Fang shoved him away. Unless he took him down with magick, Vane was nowhere near as strong as he was. “I’m not your bitch, boy.”

Vane turned on him with a look that said he was one step away from taking his best shot. “Then do it for Anya. We might need them to help us if she has problems with her litter.”

That was a low blow and it was the one thing Vane knew he wouldn’t fight against. Anya was their lifeblood. For her, they’d do anything.

“Fine. I’m just irritable from lack of sleep.”

“Why didn’t you sleep?”

I was protecting you… . Some of the wolves had been on the prowl last night and Fang had feared them stumbling over Vane’s position while he healed from his wounds and slept. So he’d stayed up to make sure Vane’s injured scent and den went undiscovered.